Coke's Chandler quits for global role at APCO

Jon Chandler, one of Coca-Cola's most experienced communicators, is quitting the corporation to become a senior consultant at APCO Worldwide.

Coke's EU director of strategic communication will leave its European HQ in London at the end of the month for a newly created role at APCO, best known for its public affairs consultancy.

As regional director, corporate communication EMEA, Chandler will report to chief executive Brad Staples, and is charged with building APCO's global corporate comms practice, based in London.

Staples said: "I've worked with Jon as a client for 12 years. He handled the Dasani crisis and corporate reputation issues for Coke. We want to offer his knowledge of this, and branding issues, to corporate clients. A key part of his remit is bringing in new business."

Chandler, previously EMEA public affairs and comms director for Coke, was moved sideways in February when the corporation's new European president Dominique Reiniche made the surprise move of placing former GB president Charlotte Oades in charge of European PR strategy, with Chandler reporting to Oades.

In a statement, Coke thanked Chandler for his many contributions, and said he would not be directly replaced.

"I moved because this gives me the chance to go to a consultancy where I can provide strategic counsel to international clients," Chandler told PRWeek.